CRUISE ship Caledonian Sky got a warm welcome on the occasion of its maiden voyage to Beauty Point courtesy of TasPorts, Tourism Northern Tasmania and the West Tamar Council.
The small luxury expedition vessel called alongside Inspection Head Wharf bringing more than 180 passengers and crew to the Tamar region.
TasPorts executive general manager growth, Matthew Johnston said the company’s previous $4m investment had enabled sustainable growth of the cruise industry at Beauty Point.
“TasPorts is supporting regional dispersal of cruise ship passengers and has invested in infrastructure upgrades at Inspection Head Wharf to enable expedition ships to call in the Tamar,” Mr Johnston said.
“The call by Caledonian Sky is the third of her seven scheduled Tasmanian calls and is the first of two luxury vessels scheduled to call to Beauty Point this cruise season.”
On Caledonian Sky’s maiden call to Inspection Head, TasPorts executive general manager Matthew Johnston and West Tamar Council Mayor Christina Holmdahl presented Captain Håkan Gustafsson with a plaque and gift.
Mayor Christina Holmdahl said they were pleased to see another cruise ship docking.
“The third ship to dock at Beauty Point in the past two years provides a great boost for our local economy and encourages us that we’re on the right track with the planned upgrades to the area as detailed in the Beauty Point Foreshore Master Plan,” Mayor Holmdahl said.
Tourism Northern Tasmania CEO, Chris Griffin said they hoped cruise ship visits to the Tamar Valley would become a regular summer occurrence.
“The valley offers exactly what these discerning visitors are looking for in a Tasmania port visit; great food and wine experiences enjoyed while meeting real Tasmanian’s and sampling our unique way of life,” Mr Griffin said. The second cruise ship for the season, MS The World, is to visit the Tamar region in February 2020.
